Memories of a Catholic boyhood. It is Ash Wednesday, and the choices about what to give up for Lent finally take effect. I remember that Ash Wednesday meant...
Lent
Explore U.S. Catholic coverage of Lent, connecting traditional practices with modern life, justice, and spiritual renewal.
How do you pray? The way I pray changes often. Sometimes it’s intentional, quiet, in front of a candle even. At other times, it’s simply sitting...
No one has asked me, but I am ready with a jim-dandy slogan for promoting good books: Don’t read spiritual books during Lent. Not only will this slogan put...
The analogy of Lent as a desert has never worked for me. I was born and raised in Wisconsin, and except for a year spent in Chicago, I’ve lived here my whole...
Ash Wednesday has become a very popular feast day, perhaps more important to some people than Holy Days of Obligation. At Marquette University, where I teach...
On January 21st of this year, the Vatican announced a change to the Roman Missal, per the request of Pope Francis, that women would no longer officially be...
Lent is like committing to a long run. We know it will make us healthier and stronger; we know it’s good for our heart. We believe that at the finish...
This Lent I decided to borrow from 12-step programs and do a “searching and fearless moral inventory.” Every year I look forward to the solemnity of Lent with...
It was Mom’s birthday and I was 12 years old. I made her a card that said “I love you mom!” and when I gave it to her I said, “Thank you for being my mom and...
Each year on Good Friday we listen to the account of the events surrounding Jesus’ death: the trial, the boisterous crowd, the journey to Golgotha. The...
